Thursday, October 6, 2011

Tough new Alabama immigration laws are forcing even legal migrants workers to flee the southern state over fears they will be deported.

Regulations introduced last week seen as the toughest in America have caused a mass exodus in the state, which experts say could cripple Alabama's economy.

A staggering one quarter of commercial building workers are thought to have left the state since tight regulations were introduced.

Masses of legal Hispanic workers are leaving Alabama because family members and friends don't have the correct paperwork and they fear they could be jailed.

Many are fleeing to Tennessee or Washington, while those who are staying are 'trying not to go out as much'.

Under strict rules brought in last week, schools have to check the immigration status of newly enrolled children.

Immigration laws in Alabama also allow police to ask for papers showing citizenship or immigration status during traffic stops if they have a 'reasonable suspicion' that the person may be in the country illegally. Read More